'Another' by Anne Bradstreet

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Phoebus make haste, the day's too long, be gone,
The silent night's the fittest time for moan;
But stay this once, unto my suit give ear,
And tell my griefs in either hemisphere.
(And if the whirling of thy wheels don't drown'd)
The woeful accents of my doleful sound,
If in thy swift carrier thou canst make stay,
I crave this boon, this errand by the way,
Commend me to the man more loved than life,
Show him the sorrows of his widowed wife;
My dumpish thoughts, my groans, my brakish tears
My sobs, my longing hopes, my doubting fears,
And if he love, how can he there abide?
My interest's more than all the world beside.
He that can tell the stars or ocean sand,
Or all the grass that in the meads do stand,
The leaves in th' woods, the hail, or drops of rain,
Or in a corn-field number every grain,
Or every mote that in the sunshine hops,
May count my sighs, and number all my drops.
Tell him the countless steps that thou dost trace,
That once a day thy spouse thou may'st embrace;
And when thou canst not treat by loving mouth,
Thy rays afar salute her from the south.
But for one month I see no day (poor soul)
Like those far situate under the pole,
Which day by day long wait for thy arise,
O how they joy when thou dost light the skies.
O Phoebus, hadst thou but thus long from thine
Restrained the beams of thy beloved shine,
At thy return, if so thou could'st or durst,
Behold a Chaos blacker than the first.
Tell him here's worse than a confused matter,
His little world's a fathom under water.
Nought but the fervor of his ardent beams
Hath power to dry the torrent of these streams.
Tell him I would say more, but cannot well,
Oppressed minds abruptest tales do tell.
Now post with double speed, mark what I say,
By all our loves conjure him not to stay.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Another by Anne Bradstreet: A Poem of Love, Loss, and Redemption

Anne Bradstreet, one of the most prominent poets of the seventeenth century, wrote a number of poems that explore themes of love, loss, and redemption. Her poem "Another" is a prime example of her ability to capture the essence of these themes in a powerful and moving way. In this literary criticism, we will explore the poem's language, structure, and literary devices to better understand its message and significance.

Language and Imagery

From the very beginning, "Another" establishes a tone of sadness and loss. The speaker, who is mourning the death of her child, describes how "the world's light shines, shine as bright as day" but that her own light has been snuffed out. The imagery of light is used throughout the poem to convey the speaker's sense of loss and despair. She describes how her "sun is set" and how she is now left in "darkness" and "gloom". The use of these images creates a powerful contrast between the beauty and brightness of the world and the darkness and sorrow that the speaker is experiencing.

Despite this sense of loss, however, the poem is not entirely bleak. There are moments of hope and redemption that shine through the darkness. For example, the speaker describes how her child is now "another angel" in heaven, and how she will one day join her there. This image of the child as an angel is one of beauty and purity, and it provides a glimmer of hope in the midst of the speaker's despair.

Another notable aspect of the poem's language is its use of repetition. The phrase "I sigh" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the speaker's sense of grief and the weight of her loss. This repetition also creates a sense of rhythm and musicality, which adds to the poem's emotional impact.

Structure and Form

"Another" is a sonnet, a form of poetry that was popularized in the sixteenth century. Sonnets typically consist of 14 lines and follow a specific rhyme scheme and meter. Bradstreet's sonnet follows the traditional rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, and it is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line consists of 10 syllables and follows a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables.

The sonnet form is particularly well-suited to the themes of love and loss that "Another" explores. The structured rhyme scheme and meter create a sense of order and stability that contrasts with the chaos and pain of the speaker's emotions. Additionally, the sonnet's form allows Bradstreet to convey her message concisely and effectively, using only a few carefully chosen words to evoke a powerful emotional response.

Literary Devices

"Another" makes use of a number of literary devices to enhance its impact and meaning. One of the most powerful of these is the use of metaphor. The poem's central metaphor is that of the child as a "little blossom" that has been plucked before its time. This metaphor emphasizes the child's youth and innocence, as well as the sense of loss that the speaker feels at the child's premature death.

Another literary device that Bradstreet employs is allusion. The poem refers to the biblical story of David and Bathsheba, in which David's child dies as punishment for his sins. By alluding to this story, Bradstreet emphasizes the idea that the speaker's loss is not just a personal tragedy, but a reflection of the fallen state of humanity as a whole.

Finally, "Another" makes use of irony to underscore the speaker's emotional state. The poem's title, "Another", suggests that the child's death is just one more in a long line of losses that the speaker has experienced. However, as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that this loss is particularly devastating and has left the speaker feeling hopeless and alone.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Anne Bradstreet's poem "Another" is a powerful exploration of love, loss, and redemption. Through its use of language, structure, and literary devices, the poem conveys a sense of grief and despair that is tempered by moments of hope and beauty. Ultimately, "Another" is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complexities of human emotion and to provide solace and comfort in times of sorrow.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has been around for centuries. It is a way for individuals to express their emotions, thoughts, and experiences through words. One of the most famous poets of all time is Anne Bradstreet, who was born in England in 1612 and later moved to America. She is known for her poetry that reflects her Puritan beliefs and her experiences as a woman in a male-dominated society. One of her most famous poems is "Another," which is a powerful and emotional piece that explores the themes of death, loss, and grief.

"Another" is a poem that is written in the form of a dialogue between the speaker and an unknown person. The speaker is grieving the loss of someone close to them, and they are struggling to come to terms with their emotions. The poem begins with the speaker asking the unknown person if they have ever experienced the pain of losing someone they love. The speaker then goes on to describe their own experience of loss, saying that they have lost someone who was "more than kin" to them.

The poem is filled with powerful imagery that helps to convey the speaker's emotions. For example, the speaker describes their grief as a "storm" that is raging inside of them. They also use the metaphor of a "shipwreck" to describe the feeling of being lost and adrift in their grief. These images help to create a vivid picture of the speaker's emotional state and make the poem more relatable to readers who have experienced similar feelings of loss and grief.

One of the most striking aspects of "Another" is the way that it explores the theme of death. The speaker is grappling with the idea that their loved one is gone forever, and they are struggling to find meaning in their loss. They ask the unknown person if they believe in an afterlife, and they express their own uncertainty about what happens to us after we die. This theme of death is a common one in Bradstreet's poetry, and it reflects her Puritan beliefs about the importance of preparing for the afterlife.

Another important theme in "Another" is the idea of gender roles and expectations. Bradstreet was a woman living in a male-dominated society, and her poetry often reflects the challenges that she faced as a result. In "Another," the speaker describes their loved one as someone who was "more than kin" to them, suggesting that they may have been a close friend or even a romantic partner. This would have been unusual for a woman in Bradstreet's time, as women were expected to be subservient to men and to prioritize their roles as wives and mothers above all else.

Despite the challenges that she faced as a woman, Bradstreet was a prolific and talented poet who was able to use her writing to express herself and to challenge the societal norms of her time. "Another" is a powerful example of her ability to convey complex emotions and ideas through her poetry. It is a poem that speaks to the universal experience of loss and grief, while also reflecting the unique challenges that Bradstreet faced as a woman in the 17th century.

In conclusion, "Another" is a powerful and emotional poem that explores the themes of death, loss, and grief. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Anne Bradstreet is able to convey the speaker's emotional state and to make the poem relatable to readers who have experienced similar feelings of loss and grief. The poem also reflects Bradstreet's own experiences as a woman in a male-dominated society, and it challenges the societal norms of her time. Overall, "Another" is a timeless piece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.

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